Troubled Waters in Cedar Key Force Road Closures

High tide is something that Cedar Key residents are used to and it's become part of their everyday life.

The beginnings of Tropical Storm Debby are already leaving a mark on the small coastal town.

"You know the first weather report said this thing was going to Texas, we woke up Sunday morning and I guess it wanted to come to Cedar Key."

Volunteer Firefigther Ken McCain says that the heavy rain that started to sweep through the area Sunday morning was as welcome as any other guest that visits Cedar Key.

Tropical Storm Debby though, is one guest that came with a little more baggage than expected.Levy county was upgraded from a tropical storm watch to a tropical storm warning Sunday morning.The label of warning means that tropical storm conditions can be expected in the following 36 hours.Some people have been enjoying the effects Debby has had on the tides.

But other like Cedar Key Police Chief,Virgil Sandlin have been working harder because of it, he explains, "The direction of the wind is blowing the water in, kinda like a tidal surge so that’s causing the extreme high water."

Road closures are usually associated with traffic accidents or construction but at high tide in Cedar Key, streets are blocked off to protect the public.Wind gusts associated with Debby are what residents say is creating higher tides than usual.

Parts of SR-24 near Cedar Key are going to remain closed during most high tides, for a complete list of roads in your area that are experiencing closures, visit wcjb.com.